WICHITA, KAN. - A former Bel Aire police chief has pleaded guilty to a federal misdemeanor charge of theft of public funds, Acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said today.

John R. Daily, 63, Haysville, Kan., pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of theft of government funds. In his plea, he admitted he filed paperwork falsely representing that certain firearms were purchased for the exclusive use of the Bel Aire Police Department. As a result, no sales tax was collected on the purchase of the following firearms:

$72 in sales tax was not collected on the purchase of a Sig Sauer 1911R TACOPS handgun

$231 in sales tax was not collected on the purchase of three FNP90 rifles.

Daily knew or believed that the firearms would be owned by individuals, not by the department, although the firearms would be available for work use as well as personal use.

Sentencing is set for Aug. 17. He faces a penalty of up to one year in federal prison and a fine up to $100,000. Beall commended the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Barnett for their work on the case.